Writing the Research Proposal Research Proposal Initiative Start

Writing the Research Proposal

Research Proposal Initiative � Start writing the research proposal as soon as possible, so that you can improve it � Write and rewrite � Reading journal articles, books, magazine to get ideas � Discuss with your supervisor & other researchers � Accept criticism � It is ok to feel confused at the beginning � Writing must be clear and professional

Functions of research proposal � To demonstrate the value (contribution) of your research � To demonstrate the ability of research/ expertise in a particular area of research � To get funding / scholarship � To approach potential supervisor � To serve as planning tool

I- introduction/ background � Writing Introduction/Preamble/Background � Writing introduction is to answer question, why would anyone care about this problem? [Write about 3 paragraphs]. � The proposal should start with an introduction to include some of the information listed below. Remember some of the contents suggested in this section may not be relevant to certain studies, so use your discretion in selection only what is pertinent to your study.

In writing this section, the literature review is of central importance as it serves two main functions: � a. It acquaints you with the available literature in the area of your study, thereby broadening your knowledge base. � b. It provides you with information on method and procedures other people have used in similar situation and tells you what works and what does not.

Paragraph 1: Tell the readers the context of the topic · · · Broad background/ sometimes specific industry at the end; An overview of the main area under study; A historical perspective (Development, growth, etc. ) pertinent to the study area; Philosophical or ideological issues relation to the topic: Trends in terms of the prevalence, if appropriate.

Paragraph 2: Tell readers the types of the companies and current problems to focus on · Specific industry-framework/present problems; · Major theories if any; · The main issues, problems, and advances in the subject area under study.

Paragraph 3: Tell the reader these are real and way to solve problems. �Importance theoretical and practical issue relating to the central problems under study; �The main findings relating to the core issues Note + Introduction is not the place for a lot of detail; + No literature development; + Detail comes later; therefore, here set the stage for problem.

II- Problem Statement · Identify the issues that are the basis of your study · Specify the various aspects of/perspectives on these issues · Identify the main gaps in the existing body of knowledge · Raise some of the main research question that you want to answer Through your study

III- RESEARCH OBJECTIVES �Every good paper begins with an objective statement. �A statement of both your study’s main and subobjective. Your main objective indicates the central thrust of your study whereas the subobjective identifies the specific issues you propose to examine. �Use action-oriented verbs such as “to determine”, “to find out”, “to ascertain” in formulating sub-objective, which should be numerically listed.

IV- INFORMATION NEEDS What you need to know? · Information needs is a list of specific thing we will collect in the research. · With every things you need to know in order to address your problem and meet your objectives. · How does information help you understand the problem and your objectives?

Information need come from · Interaction with managers (interviewing) · Pilot interview/ exploratory research · Visual-based on information needs · Obtain from asking question topic in qualitative.

V- SCOPE & LIMITATION · Scope is the limit of what will be studied, geography/segmentation. It has to be decided before methodology, not after. It has to be justified, why are these limitations made, and why will the research be useful anyway? Mainly focus on what area? ?

Limitation can be modified after the research is done, problems/ products (Not at the beginning of the report). It comes at the end of the report, after we have the data and analyzed it. Which are not possible, incompleted! Constraint!!!

Flow chart of study organization Ch. 1 Introduction Ch. 2 Literature review Ch 3. Current situation 2 -1………………. 3 -1………… 2 -2……………… 3 -2………… Ch. 4 Analyzing & Research Methodology Ch. 5 Analysis & Discussion of finding Ch. 6 Conclusion & Recommendation

VII- WORK SCHEDULE � You must set yourself sates as you need to complete the research a certain time-frame. � List the various operational steps you need to undertake and indicate against each the date by which you aim to complete that task � Remember to keep some time towards the end as a “cushion”in case the research process does not go as smoothly as planned.